Describe your school's strengths and needs based on a school improvement document, such as the school's SALT visit report, its SALT survey data, or its school improvement plan.
There are so many strengths that North Smithfield Middle School possesses that it would be difficult to list them all. What I first noticed during my placement at this school was the great atmosphere all around the school. Some middle schools implement strategies such as no bully zones to make sure that students are not making fun of other students. At North Smithfield Middle School there is no need for such policy because all the kids seem to get along great. There are very little issues with fighting at the school, also not many issues involving bullying. When walking around the hallways it is difficult to distinguish who is friends with who because it seems like everyone is friends with each other. Obviouslly there are some exceptions, but it is definitely a friendly school community that I know from experience is not always present. The students are happy to be at school, most of them have a will to learn and a sense of belonging to the school and the community.
In the SALT survey some of the improvements that were stated that the school needed to make was professional development days focusing on standard based education. I know that in the science department they have just received new books. They are great resources and a great tool for enhancing student learning, but for this year the teachers have to feel out how to pace themselves through the different books to cover all of the standards. The Mcdougall books line has multiple different books, such as Motion and Forces, and Matter and Energy. The teachers are learning how to use these new book resources as a guide, but still get through the standards which they need to cover throughout the year. I am sure that this year will be difficult for them, but in years to come these Mcdougall resources are going to be a great tool to enhance student learning.
Describe your school's strengths and needs based on a school improvement document, such as the school's SALT visit report, its SALT survey data, or its school improvement plan.
There are so many strengths that North Smithfield Middle School possesses that it would be difficult to list them all. What I first noticed during my placement at this school was the great atmosphere all around the school. Some middle schools implement strategies such as no bully zones to make sure that students are not making fun of other students. At North Smithfield Middle School there is no need for such policy because all the kids seem to get along great. There are very little issues with fighting at the school, also not many issues involving bullying. When walking around the hallways it is difficult to distinguish who is friends with who because it seems like everyone is friends with each other. Obviouslly there are some exceptions, but it is definitely a friendly school community that I know from experience is not always present. The students are happy to be at school, most of them have a will to learn and a sense of belonging to the school and the community.In the SALT survey some of the improvements that were stated that the school needed to make was professional development days focusing on standard based education. I know that in the science department they have just received new books. They are great resources and a great tool for enhancing student learning, but for this year the teachers have to feel out how to pace themselves through the different books to cover all of the standards. The Mcdougall books line has multiple different books, such as Motion and Forces, and Matter and Energy. The teachers are learning how to use these new book resources as a guide, but still get through the standards which they need to cover throughout the year. I am sure that this year will be difficult for them, but in years to come these Mcdougall resources are going to be a great tool to enhance student learning.